§ Mr. SpeakerI have a statement to make to the House.
Yesterday, in trying to encourage the House to make progress with Questions, I made a comment on the absence from the Chamber of the First Secretary which, to my embarrassment, I find may have been misunderstood. Accordingly, I wish at once to make it clear that no criticism whatsoever of the First Secretary's engagements was intended. Indeed, I had no idea what they were.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamMr. Speaker, may I say that the First Secretary was on a visit to Northern Ireland, and the Ulster Government greatly appreciate his personal interest in regional development?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am much obliged to the hon. and learned Gentleman for saying that. It makes it all the more distressing that I was misunderstood.